Interaction of sensory processing and balance in adult cochlear implant users.

PUROPSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory processing skills, quality of life and balance performance in adult cochlear implant users. METHODS: A sample of 40 individuals was studied in two groups; 20 normal hearing individuals (37.84 ± 15.39 years old) and 20 cochlear implant users (35.58 ± 11.22 year old). Balance performance was assessed by Computerized Dynamic Posturography. The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile completed by the individual was used to assess sensory processing skills. Finally, quality of life was assessed with the Short Form-36. RESULTS: Among the different sensory processing parameters in the adolescent/adult sensory profile, a significant difference was found between the two groups in the parameters of low registration, sensory sensitivity and sensory avoidance (p < .05). Visual, vestibular and composite scores were found to be lower in cochlear implant users by Computerised Dynamic Posturography assessment (p < .05). When assessing quality of life, emotional well-being and social functioning parameters were found to be lower in cochlear implant users (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Factors such as the inability to reach sufficient auditory stimuli due to hearing loss and the occurrence of vestibular problems after cochlear implant surgery limit the quantity and quality of sensory stimuli from the environment. Individuals with cochlear implants may prefer to live isolated from society because they cannot adequately process incoming sensory stimuli due to hearing/balance problems, and this may negatively affect the quality of life of individuals. Our findings revealed the necessity of multisensory assessment and therapy protocols when rehabilitating individuals with cochlear implants.

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Kinesio Tape Treatment in Adult Individuals with Subjective Tinnitus.

Objective: Tinnitus is one of the most common otologic symptoms and has a serious effect on the quality of life. The pathophysiology of tinnitus is not fully understood and no consensus has been reached on an effective treatment method for tinnitus. To evaluate the effectiveness of the kinesiotape (KT) method in subjective tinnitus treatment. Material and Method: KT is a method used for sensory simulation. It is a method that aims to increase muscle function, positively affect lymphatic fluid and blood circulation, and stimulate the neurological system. In this study, KT method was applied and the study was prospective. 34 individuals with subjective tinnitus, and normal hearing were included. The study group (n = 17) was informed about tinnitus and KT was applied for 4 weeks, the control group (n = 17) was only informed about tinnitus. The information about tinnitus given to both groups included verbal information about what tinnitus is, how to deal with tinnitus and basic recommendations. All individuals were initially administered tinnitus measurements (pitch, loudness, minimal masking level, residual inhibition), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), SF-36, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). All evaluations were repeated after 4 weeks. Results: Tinnitus loudness and pitch decreased in the KT group (P < .05). In both groups, there was a significant difference between the first and last measurements of the severity of tinnitus, the degree of discomfort from tinnitus with VAS, and the catastrophic and total scores of THI (P < .05). KT group, the emotional sub-score of THI improved significantly with KT (P < .05), and significant improvement was achieved in the BDI scores (P < .05). There was a significant difference in the SF-36 after the application of KT (P < .05). Conclusion: In subjective tinnitus, the pathophysiology of which is unknown and there is no consensus on an effective treatment method, improvement in tinnitus severity, quality of life and depression perception in both audiologic and perceptual evaluations were obtained as a result of KT application. We believe that KT, which has no side effects and is easy to apply, is a method that can be easily used in individuals with subjective tinnitus.

The Effect of Repositioning Maneuver Applied with the TRV Chair on Residual Dizziness after Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of TRV chair on residual dizziness (RD) after idiopathic posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) successfully treated with canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. SETTING: Hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-three patients with posterior canal BPPV were included in the study. These patients were divided into two identical groups. CRM was applied to the first group with a TRV chair (TRV group) and manually to the second group (manual group). INTERVENTIONS: Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and video head impulse test were applied to the patients. Patients in both groups were asked to report the RD developed after successful CRM daily by visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The TRV group's first-day RD rate was 94.1% with VAS, and the RD duration was 2.47 ± 1.77 (0-7) days. The manual group's first-day RD rate was 100%, and the RD duration was 3.38 ± 1.70 (1-7) days. There was no difference between the groups in terms of RD duration ( p > 0.05). Mean RD severity and severity in the first 3 days were lower in the TRV group compared with the manual group ( p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups on other days ( p > 0.05). In addition, there was a positive correlation between RD and DHI and BPPV duration ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: RD is a multifactorial symptom associated with how the repositioning maneuver is performed, BPPV duration, and DHI. Performing the repositioning maneuver with the TRV chair can reduce the severity of RD.

The effects of dietary and physical activity interventions on tinnitus symptoms: An RCT.

OBJECTIVE: Subjective tinnitus is defined as the perception of irregular sound at different frequencies. Although the underlying cause of tinnitus is unclear, increased body weight is known to increase tinnitus symptoms. The present study aimed to determine the effects of dietary and physical activity interventions on tinnitus symptoms. METHODS: Sixty-three obese subjects with tinnitus aged 20 to 65 years were divided into diet + physical activity (P.A.) (n = 15), diet (n = 16), P.A. (n = 15), and control (n = 17) groups. Dietary records, anthropometric measurements, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of all individuals were recorded and compared at the baseline and at study completion. RESULTS: Body weight decreased in the diet + P.A. (-5.9 (3.5) kg), diet (-3.4 (0.9) kg), and P.A. (-2.0 (2.1) kg) groups compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). There was a more significant decrease in tinnitus frequency, tinnitus severity, and VAS scores in individuals with a weight loss of ≥ 5.0% than in those with < 5.0% (p < 0.05). A decrease of 1 kg/m2 in BMI decreased the BDI score by 0.485 units and the THI score by 0.523 units. Step counts were increased in the diet + P.A. (3562.3±739.9) and P.A. (3797.1 ± 1801.1) groups compared to baseline (p < 0.01). Each increase of 1000 steps increased the SF-36 score by 1.592 units and decreased the THI score by 0.750 units (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dietary and physical activity interventions, alone or in combination, alleviated tinnitus symptoms and increased quality of life in individuals with tinnitus. Due to its contribution to obesity prevention and positive effects on tinnitus, organizing dietary and physical activity programs for obese individuals with tinnitus would improve these individuals' quality of life.

The effect of screen time on hearing and balance in 6-16 aged children.

BACKGROUND: The increase in screen time and the decrease in physical- activity cause balance problems as well as many systemic handicaps. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of screen time on balance and the effect of headphone usage time on hearing. METHOD: Thirty-four individuals aged 6-16 years who applied to our clinic with complaints of dizziness and/or balance disorder were included in the study. Participants were divided into 2 groups according to their screen time: Group 1 (4-8 h/day) and Group2(>8 h/day). The other two groups are grouped according to headphone usage time as Group A (2-4 h/day) and Group B (>4hours/day). Pure-tone audiometry, extended high frequency-audiometry, Videonystagmography (VNG) and Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) tests and Pediatric Berg Balance Scale and Visual Analogue Scale were applied to all individuals. CDP scores and pure tone hearing thresholds between groups were compared. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between Group 1 and Group 2 according to the CDP test (visual, vestibular and composite scores), and according to the VAS-dizziness and PBS (p ≤ .05). Pure tone average and pure tone thresholds at high frequencies were compared between Group A and Group B according to headphone usage time. Pure tone thresholds of Group B were worse at high frequencies than Group A (p ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: It has been observed that prolonged screen time may cause balance impairment in children and prolonged use of headphones may affect high-frequency hearing thresholds.

Investigation of the Effects of COVID-19 on Perception, Attention, Memory, Balance, and Quality of Life in the Elderly.

This study was conducted with elderly individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on balance, perception, attention, memory, and quality of life and produce rehabilitative solutions for these problems. Material and Method: A total of 45 volunteers older than 65 years who had not had COVID-19 were included in group 1. A total of 45 volunteers older than 65 years who had recovered from COVID-19 were included in group 2 (elderly people who have had COVID-19 at least 6 months ago). After obtaining the individuals' demographic data, we conducted vestibular assessment for balance and administered the Stroop test for attention, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the digit span test for short-term memory, and a quality-of-life test. Results: Mean age of the individuals who had had COVID-19 was 68.24 ± 3.32 years, and the mean age of the individuals who had not had COVID-19 was 68.55 ± 3.34 years. There were statistically significant correlations between the two groups for the Stroop test (P < .05), MMSE (P < .05), the digit span test for perception and attention (P < .05), and the vestibular assessment quality-of-life test (P < .01). Sensory (P < .001), past, present, and future activities (P < .05), social participation (P < .001), and death (P < .05) were found to be significant in the total score (P < .001). The covariance analysis of elderly individuals who had had COVID-19 revealed that they performed significantly worse on the balance, perception, attention, memory, and quality-of-life tests than elderly individuals who had not had COVID-19. Conclusion: The negative effects of COVID-19 were found among elderly individuals older than 65 years. We suggest that telerehabilitation should be developed for elderly people who have recovered from COVID-19 and that its effects investigated.

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation in Chronic Subjective Tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: It is aimed to determine the therapeutic role of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on chronic subjective tinnitus with a randomized and comparative analysis. METHOD: 46 individuals with normal hearing, chronic subjective tinnitus, aged 20-65; randomly divided into the study (TENS therapy) and tje control groups. The control group (n = 23) was informed only about tinnitus, while the study group (n = 23) received TENS therapy (20 sessions in 4 weeks). Before TENS therapy, tinnitus-related evaluations of all participants [tinnitus frequency, loudness, minimum masking level (MMS), residual inhibition (RI)] were made and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Short Form 36 (SF-36), and The Quality of Life Scale were applied to the participants. These evaluations and questionnaires were repeated after 4 weeks of the therapy. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the tinnitus severity after TENS therapy in the study group (p = 0.003). Moreover, it was found that VAS (loudness and annoyance), THI (functional, emotional and total score), SF-36 (physical function, physical role, pain, general health, vitality, emotional role and social function) values improved compared to before TENS therapy and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the first and last evaluations of the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TENS is an effective, practical and reliable therapy method in reducing severity, loudness, and annoyance of tinnitus, and increasing the quality of life in individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus.

The effects of diet and physical activity induced weight loss on the severity of tinnitus and quality of life: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Subjective tinnitus is the most common and manifest auditory symptom of an existing pathology in the auditory system. Although the effect of obesity on tinnitus is still uncertain, it is known that increased fat tissue increases the severity and symptoms of tinnitus. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of weight loss through diet and physical activity on tinnitus. METHODS: Forty-six obese subjects diagnosed with tinnitus were randomized into the diet + physical activity (PA) (n = 13), diet (n = 16) and the control groups (n = 17). The anthropometric measurements, tinnitus severity scores, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores and short form quality of life (SF-36) scores of the individuals were recorded and compared at the beginning and at the end of the study. RESULTS: In the diet + PA and diet groups; body weight (diet + PA:-6.5 ± 2.6; diet: -4.1 ± 1) tinnitus severity (diet + PA:-11.0 ± 7.0; diet: -9.0 ± 8.7) and THI scores (diet + FA:-15.0 ± 9.5; diet: -14.0 ± 10.0) significantly decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.01). This decline was more in those with weight loss of ≥5.0% than those with <5.0%. SF-36 score was significantly increased in the diet + PA and diet groups (respectively 10.0 ± 5.5 and 6.0 ± 2.7) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Diet and physical activity intervention ameliorated the tinnitus severity and quality of life in obese patients with tinnitus. However to generalize this findings further studies are needed. REGISTERED UNDER CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER NO: NCT00123456.